Niche axes in a desert environment: Abiotic and biotic influences on scorpion distribution, abundance, and activity

The coexistence of similar species may be facilitated through differential utilization of spatial, temporal, and environmental resources. Scorpions (Arachnida: Scorpiones) frequently exhibit strong intraguild predation and live in challenging arid environments. We conducted a survey to assess the distribution and activity of three scorpion species (Anuroctonus phaiodactylus, Paruroctonus boreus, and Vaejovis confusus) along an environmental gradient (alluvial fan) in northwestern Utah. While species composition and abundance varied by soil type, environmental factors greatly influenced the nightly and seasonal activity of the animals.